Arkansas Weigh Station Regulations and Enforcement

Commercial vehicle enforcement in Arkansas is managed by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Highway Police division. Carriers traveling through the state must comply with weight limits and stopping requirements at 11 fixed weigh station facilities located on major corridors including I-30, I-40, I-55, and US-67. The primary goal of these inspections is to verify compliance with the 80,000-pound gross vehicle weight limit and to ensure commercial drivers adhere to the federal hours-of-service regulations. Arkansas actively utilizes weigh-in-motion (WIM) technology to streamline the flow of traffic, allowing compliant carriers to bypass scales when authorized. DispatchTool assists drivers in navigating these enforcement points by providing truck-safe routing that accounts for active weigh station locations and state-specific weight restrictions. The platform enables dispatchers to monitor vehicle progress in real-time and manage digital documentation, ensuring that drivers have the necessary permits and BOLs ready if pulled in for a Level I, II, or III inspection. Carriers looking to improve their route efficiency and maintain compliance across the Natural State can create a DispatchTool account to access specialized navigation tools.

Fixed Weigh Station Locations in Arkansas

Arkansas operates 11 permanent weigh station facilities situated at critical entry points and high-traffic segments of the interstate system. Key locations include the Alma scales on I-40 (Eastbound and Westbound) near the Oklahoma border, the Hope scales on I-30, and the West Memphis scales on I-55/I-40. These facilities are generally open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, though staffing levels may fluctuate. According to ARDOT, the West Memphis facility is one of the busiest in the region, processing thousands of trucks daily due to its proximity to the Mississippi River bridge and the intersection of major transcontinental routes.

Arkansas Weight Limits and Bridge Formula

In accordance with Arkansas Code § 27-35-203, the maximum gross weight allowed on federal interstate highways is 80,000 pounds without a special permit. Single axle limits are set at 20,000 pounds, while tandem axles are restricted to 34,000 pounds. Arkansas also strictly enforces the Federal Bridge Formula B, which calculates the weight distribution based on the distance between axles. For example, a vehicle with a 36-foot wheelbase between the first and last axles of any group of two or more consecutive axles is restricted to a specific weight to prevent structural damage to the state's 12,000+ bridges.

PrePass and Bypass Program Participation

Arkansas is a participating member of the PrePass system, which allows qualified carriers to bypass weigh stations using an electronic transponder. When a vehicle equipped with a transponder approaches a weigh-in-motion sensor, the system checks the carrier's safety rating in the FMCSA SAFER database and verifies the vehicle's weight. If the carrier meets the state's criteria, a green light is displayed on the in-cab device, allowing the driver to stay on the mainline. ARDOT reports that this technology significantly reduces fuel consumption and brake wear, saving carriers an average of $8.68 per bypass according to ATRI estimates.

Overweight and Oversize Permits

If a load exceeds 80,000 pounds or exceeds standard width (8 feet 6 inches) and height (13 feet 6 inches) limits, a permit must be obtained from the ARDOT Permit Section. Single-trip permits are typically valid for five days. The fee for an overweight permit starts at $10.00 plus an additional mileage fee if the weight exceeds certain thresholds. For example, loads over 100,000 pounds are subject to a fee of $0.08 per ton-mile for the excess weight. Permits must be carried in the vehicle at all times, either in paper form or as a digital copy on a mobile device, to be presented at weigh stations.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspections

The Arkansas Highway Police conduct North American Standard Inspections at weigh stations to ensure vehicles and drivers are compliant with 49 CFR. A Level I inspection is the most comprehensive, covering 37 steps including the examination of brakes, fuel systems, and steering mechanisms. In a typical year, Arkansas inspectors conduct over 40,000 inspections. If a vehicle is found to have a critical violation, it will be placed Out-of-Service (OOS). The CVSA reported that the national OOS rate for vehicles was approximately 20% during recent International Roadcheck events, emphasizing the need for pre-trip inspections before reaching Arkansas scales.

Penalties for Weigh Station Violations

Bypassing an open weigh station in Arkansas is a violation of state law and can result in significant fines and a mandatory return to the scale. Fines for overweight violations are calculated based on the number of pounds over the legal limit. Under Arkansas Code § 27-35-103, fines can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand for extreme violations. For example, a load that is 5,000 pounds over the limit may incur a fine of $0.03 per pound for the first 1,000 pounds, with the rate increasing for each subsequent bracket of excess weight. These fines are often accompanied by court costs and administrative fees.

Sources

Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) (2024) — https://www.ardot.gov/divisions/highway-police/ Arkansas Code Title 27 - Transportation (2023) — https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2023/title-27/ American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) (2024) — https://truckingresearch.org/ Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) (2025) — https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Frequently asked

Do I have to stop at Arkansas weigh stations if I'm empty?

Yes, all commercial motor vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more must pull into open weigh stations in Arkansas, regardless of whether they are loaded or empty, unless they receive a bypass signal from a recognized system like PrePass.

What is the fine for missing a weigh station in Arkansas?

Failing to stop at an open weigh station is a misdemeanor in Arkansas. Drivers can face fines starting around $100 plus court costs, and the incident will likely trigger a full Level I inspection once the vehicle is apprehended by a Highway Police patrol unit.

How does Arkansas handle weigh-in-motion (WIM)?

Arkansas uses WIM sensors embedded in the highway pavement several hundred feet before the weigh station. These sensors measure the axle weights at highway speeds; if the weights are within legal limits and the carrier's safety score is sufficient, the system triggers the bypass signal.

What are the Arkansas tandem axle weight limits?

The maximum weight allowed for a tandem axle group in Arkansas is 34,000 pounds on the interstate system. On non-interstate highways, this limit may be lower depending on the specific route and local bridge postings.

Can I use an electronic logbook at Arkansas scales?

Yes, Arkansas Highway Police accept Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) as per the FMCSA mandate. Drivers must be able to transfer their HOS data electronically via web services or email, or display the graph grid on the device for the inspector to review.